Cowl fastener



May 6, 1941. 0.1; wsbs'oN 1 2,241,336

cowl. FASTENE Filed sept. 14. 1939 INVENTOR omen, L; wooofo'N' May 6, 1941. o. L WD'SQN 2,241,336l

-cowL FASTENER l Fild sept. 14. i959 f mvENToR A i Omen. LwooosoN.

Patented May 6, 194i COWL FASTENER v Omer L. Woodson, Eggertsville, Curtiss-Wright Corporation,

Delaware N. if., assigner to a corporation of Application September 14, 1939, Serial No. 294,865

' 1 claims. (cl. 292-229) This invention relates to fastening devices, and

is concerned particularly with an improved lock-- ing arrangement adapted for use on aircraft inspection doors and cowling.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a substantially flush, positive acting, self-contained fastening unitl for doors, cowlings and the like, a further object being to provide a fastening device which may be secured to one of two elements to be fastened, and wherein no special fittings are required to be secured to the other members.

A further object is to provide an irreversible lock on overlapping flat elements, wherein the lock and an overlapping element embrace the overlapped element, the lock being readily releasable to permit of separation of the two elements.

Further objects will be apparent from reading the annexed specication and claims, together with an examination of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the locking assembly;

Fig. 2 is va plan, and

' Figs. 3 and 4 are, respectively,isections through the locking device in locking and unlocking positions.

Metal plates` adapted other are indicated at abutting relation, as shown, ing a lock strip l2 riveted thereto as at I3 which is overlapped by the plate I0. Alternately, the plate I could overlap the plate II, or the portion I2 could be formed as an offset of the plate II. The locking unit comprises a base plate Ill secured as by rivets l5 to the plate I0. The plate to be secured to one an- II) and II, these lying in but the plate II- hav.

is provided with upturned ears I6 drilled to provide hinge points for a shaft I-I carrying a locking tab i8 and a cam faces of the elements -I8 and I9 being substantially at right angles to one another. The tab I8 is movable about its pivot between the two positions shown in Figs. 3 and 4; according to Fig. 3, the tab I8 is moved into contact with the plate I2 so that the latter is sandwiched'between the tab and the plate I0. When swung into the position of Fig. 4, the tab I8 disengages the plate I2 and allows the plate I0 to be swung away from the plate II.

The shaft, tab and cam follower assembly is provided with a spring 22 hooked around the cam follower and-engaging the ears I6,- said spring normally `urging the shaft assembly to the position of Fig. 4.

follower I9, the operatingcam element 24 is pivoted, said element comprising a head 25 provided with a screw driver slot 26,- and a shank 21 engaging an opening in the base I4. On the inner side of the base Il the .element carries a disc 28 from which a cam cylinder 29 extends outhardly, Vsaid cylinder being cut off on a slant. as shown. so that the slanting edge 30 forms a cam surface.

If the element 24 be turned so. that the high l side of the cam is away from the cam follower I9, the tab I8 is raised as in Fig. 4. When the element 24 is turned to 180, the cam follower i! rides up the cam edge 30, so that nally, the cylindrical side of the element 28 rests against the cam follower I9 to hold the tab in the locking position of Fig. 3.

The disc 28 is further provided with segmental slots 32 at opposite points thereon for engagement by a bifurcated spring 33 secured to the base I4- by a. rivet 34, whereby the element 2l is prevented from inadvertent rotation when the assembly is in locking position.

It will be seen that all of the locking mecha- Vnism is carried by the plate I4 which may be apmay be engaged between the edge of the plate Il)A and the tab I8. Likewise, the exterior of the locking assembly is wholly free from protuberances which might interfere with smooth air now thereover when the device is applied to aircraft. Alternately, if extreme exterior smoothness is unnecessary, the head 2B may be formed as a knob for easy manual manipulation.

The invention also contemplates various a1- ternative constructions which would be `obvious to those skilled in the art, such, for instance. as forming the tab I8 as a hook to engage anges or the like on the member Il, and the formation of the cam element 24 with multiple lobes along with multiplication of. the tab units on opposite sides of the cam member to lock the plate I4 for Y invention in detail d embodiment, it will be cam mounted on prising a tab pivoted to the underside of the overlapping element theirplanes. Y g

2.' A lock for overlapping ilat elements compr'ising a tab pivoted to the underside of the overlapping element said tab being swingable 'overrand toward the overlapped element to secure same between the tab and the overlapping element, and cam means to the plane of the said securing position and a position wherein the tab is wholly clear of the overlapped e ent to allow of relative movement thereof in a direction normal to their planes. f

3.-A lock for overlapping flat elements comprising a tab pivoted to the underside of the overlapping element on an axis substantially parallel to the edge of the overlapped element, said tab being swingable over and toward the overlapped element to secure same between the tab and the overlapping element, cam means for Swinging said tab, resilient means urging said tab away lfrom the overlapped element, and a the overlappingelement operable to irreversibly move said tab toward the and away from the overlapped element to allow of relative movement of the elements in a dire'ctlon normal to their planes.

on an axis substantially .parallel to the edge of the overlapped element.

the tab is wholly clear of the overlapped element in a direction .normal toA overlapped element for locking both elements,

4. A lock for overlapping at elements com'- A an element carried by said said ears on an axis parallel to the base platev having a tab and a cam follower extending from` the shaft substantially at right angles to each other, and a cam rotatable in the base plate having its .cam face engageable with said camfol- .lower to turn the shawft and tab upon its axis.

6. A locking mechanism comprising a base plate having upturned e s, a shaftY pivoted in said ears on an axis parallel to the base platel having a tab and a cam follower extending from the shaft substantially at right angles to each other, a cam fully rotatable in the base plate having its cam face engageable With said cam follower vto turnthe shaft said cam 'having a notch and resilient means engageable in said notch to hold thecam in4 adjusted position'.

7. Ajloekingmechanism comprising a base member having brackets disposed thereabove, brackets and mova` ble on an axis parallel to the base member, said element comprising a looking face and another face, a cam element rotatably mounted on the base member on an a normal to the bracketcarried element axisV and including a camface engageable with. the other said face of said bracket-carried'element to movethe latter about its axis.

OMER L. WOODSON.

and tab upon its axis, 

